As the heat increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Winnipeg?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to keep a constant temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get within. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to locate simple issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 204-272-8128 or contact us online now for additional info.